Road accidents point towards trauma centres in J&K

In 1998-99, the Govt has asked for the proposal of trauma center in GMC Jammu and along the national highway.

Kishtwar–Doda road mishap and others similar accidents on peripheral roads leaving many dead and others maimed in the state, already facing the macabre dance of death by militancy still awaits the specially designated hospital – the Trauma Care Centers at various places.

It is to mention that in 1998-99 the government has asked for the proposal of the trauma center in the GMC Jammu and few along the national highway to save the precious lives.

Sources however disclosed though a Trauma Center at Ramban is under upgradation with new centers on the same pattern at Sunderbani, Vijaypur, Thathri and Kathua still are pipeline and are far away from reality.

The fatal road accidents like Darhal, Budhal (Rajouri) and another in Sashoo (Doda) in 2005 killing over hundred people and left hundreds injured and the recent road accident on Kishtwar-Doda road on January 4, have pointed the dire need of trauma centres in the peripheral places prone to road mishaps.

Poor road networking and pre hospital management often results in deaths or left many to be maimed if there were trauma centres on road heads leading to tertiary health institution many lives would have been saved and could be saved, sources said.

Sources revealed that Government of India has sought proposal of upgradation of Kathua, Sunderbani, Vijaypur and Thathri as Trauma Center to meet the arising necessity of better healthcare to injured of road and militancy incidents. They also added if finalised the central authorities would release approximately Rs 60 lakh assistance for first phase of the construction of each of these centers. They also informed that in the current set-up, the general hospitals in the state are being used on an adhoc basis to provide care to the trauma victims.

Sources also ridiculed the existing arrangements available for pre-hospital care, in Jammu and Kashmir as well. The first hour medicare after the injury occurs along with absence of good road networking, quality transportation of injured from site of accident to

the tertiary Hospital GMC Jammu result in deaths of many injured, sources regretted.

'What is required,' some officials in health department on proximity, emphasised upon the round-the-clock standby arrangement the hospitals, ambulances, the police and the fire brigade within the state to manage the disasters under a well-managed disaster management system.

Both Dr Rajeshwer Sharma and Dr Ravinder Khajuria, consultant physicians stressed that we need trauma centres at the road heads in accident and militancy related incidents vulnerable areas to save precious lives. Duo emphasised upon the proper coordination within available human resources in organised manner to ensure trauma care and Emergency Medical Service (EMS) to those who are critical and can be saved with pre hospital management care.

The trauma centres will make city under medical supervision round-the-clock, throughout the year to handle the injured victim of trauma after road accidents, bomb blasts and other terrorist related violence in this troubled state, Dr Rajeshwer said.